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I just found o0/60ut I have IDC, no staging yet. Been researching and the more I do, I wonder if I even want to do any treatments. Mine is both ER and PG positive 50/60%. I go to the surgeon wednesday for options. Any advice?

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53 Replies |Watch This Discussion | Report This| Share this:Newly DxI just found o0/60ut I have IDC, no staging yet. Been researching and the more I do, I wonder if I even want to do any treatments. Mine is both ER and PG positive 50/60%. I go to the surgeon wednesday for options. Any advice?

Tracy,I had IDC stage 1 and had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation and am on an antiestrogen regimen for 5 yrs.and finished treatment 9 mos. ago.I was 67 yrs. old at the time of dx and tolerated all the treatments well. Please know that the decision to undergo treatment is your personal choice. Each of us had to decide what to do. Might I suggest that you see what the surgeon thinks your options are before you decide not to have any treatment.You could also do one treatment like having surgery and then decide NOT to have chemo, radiation, take antiestrogen drugs etc.If you read posts and blogs on the internet, please understand that the people who write them usually DO NOT view their treatment (s) in a positive way. They usually relate horrible experiences with doctors, or medicines etc. Those of us who have not experienced problems with breast cancer treatments usually do not write that on the internet.So my advice is to take it one step at a time and then make each small decision - before you just automatically rule out all treatment.Naturally the decision is totally yours and your family and friends should respect and support your decision.Good luck on Wed. with the surgeon. Please let us know what the surgeon says and what you decide to do.Judy

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Report This| Share this:Newly DxTracy,I had IDC stage 1 and had a lumpectomy, chemo and radiation and am on an antiestrogen regimen for 5 yrs.and finished treatment 9 mos. ago.I was 67 yrs. old at the time of dx and tolerated all the treatments well. Please know that the decision to undergo treatment is your personal choice. Each of us had to decide what to do. Might I suggest that you see what the surgeon thinks your options are before you decide not to have any treatment.You could also do one treatment like having surgery and then decide NOT to have chemo, radiation, take antiestrogen drugs etc.If you read posts and blogs on the internet, please understand that the people who write them usually DO NOT view their treatment (s) in a positive way. They usually relate horrible experiences with doctors, or medicines etc. Those of us who have not experienced problems with breast cancer treatments usually do not write that on the internet.So my advice is to take it one step at a time and then make each small decision - before you just automatically rule out all treatment.Naturally the decision is totally yours and your family and friends should respect and support your decision.Good luck on Wed. with the surgeon. Please let us know what the surgeon says and what you decide to do.Judy

That is my problem I want be informed as in if it is this this is the treatment plan, if that then this is the path. I will really need to take this one step at a time. But it is hard to do that.And the more I read the more uncertain I become.

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Report This| Share this:Newly DxThat is my problem I want be informed as in if it is this this is the treatment plan, if that then this is the path. I will really need to take this one step at a time. But it is hard to do that.And the more I read the more uncertain I become.

Tracy,You will drive yourself crazy reading anything & everything that is out there.I also had IDC, stage 1,ER/PR Pos. Had a lumpectomy in Oct 2010. Followed with radiation - fin that in January. Now on Tamoxifen. I had no problems with surgery or treatments afterwards.I know it is not easy to look at worse case scenario but try and not jump the gun.Hopefully your surgeon will explain all the options available to you.Take somebody with you to the appt to take notes for you.This is a great place to be. There are many amazing ladies here that care & have great advice.Please keep in touchMichele

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Report This| Share this:Newly DxTracy,You will drive yourself crazy reading anything & everything that is out there.I also had IDC, stage 1,ER/PR Pos. Had a lumpectomy in Oct 2010. Followed with radiation - fin that in January. Now on Tamoxifen. I had no problems with surgery or treatments afterwards.I know it is not easy to look at worse case scenario but try and not jump the gun.Hopefully your surgeon will explain all the options available to you.Take somebody with you to the appt to take notes for you.This is a great place to be. There are many amazing ladies here that care & have great advice.Please keep in touchMichele

Tracy,I don't know exactly what are you uncertain about? If you have early stage cancer that is fairly small then the usual recommendations are lumpectomy followed by radiation. If the tumor is large, then mastectomy would be the option.Depending on how many lymph nodes are involved and the results of the oncotype test you might also need chemo.Once again you can decide not to do any treatment.It would help us if we knew your age and your family situation. This would help us to try to give you the advice you have asked us for. Please give us some more information.Judy

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Report This| Share this:Newly DxTracy,I don't know exactly what are you uncertain about? If you have early stage cancer that is fairly small then the usual recommendations are lumpectomy followed by radiation. If the tumor is large, then mastectomy would be the option.Depending on how many lymph nodes are involved and the results of the oncotype test you might also need chemo.Once again you can decide not to do any treatment.It would help us if we knew your age and your family situation. This would help us to try to give you the advice you have asked us for. Please give us some more information.Judy

Tracy, I am sorry that you are facing this. There is no one here who doesn't appreciate how overwhelming the situation can be...You feel blindsided and out of control!

Perhaps if yoiu check out the WebMD page WebMD's 10 Important QuestionstoAsk Your DoctorAboutBreastCancer you will find some questions to propose at your appointment and get the answers you need to make good decisions. Always ask lots of questions and don't let them not be answered to your total understanding. Get a 2nd and 3rd opinion if you are still uncomfortable with the responses (or lack thereof!).

You will be in our thoughts.

Blessings.Rachael

Just when the caterpillar thought her world was over, she became a butterfly! Don't give up five minutes before the miracle!!

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Report This| Share this:Newly DxTracy, I am sorry that you are facing this. There is no one here who doesn't appreciate how overwhelming the situation can be...You feel blindsided and out of control!

Perhaps if yoiu check out the WebMD page WebMD's 10 Important QuestionstoAsk Your DoctorAboutBreastCancer you will find some questions to propose at your appointment and get the answers you need to make good decisions. Always ask lots of questions and don't let them not be answered to your total understanding. Get a 2nd and 3rd opinion if you are still uncomfortable with the responses (or lack thereof!).

I too had IDC, stage 2 grade 2..........8 nodes removed, 2 were positive...........had 3 surgeries...........30 radiation treatments and have been on Arimidex for 1 1/2 years now..........2 1/2 years of Arimidex to go. Chance of recurrance 8%, 17% without Arimidex. I take the pill !

Treatments are a personal decision. And being your own advocate and doing a great amount of research IS a must!

You will be given a recurrance % once the proper testing is done on the cancer tissue they remove/removed. Maybe you should wait and make your decision upon receiving that report.It is a very important test and gives a better look at what you are dealing with. Ask your surgeon about this test. I think it is referred to as an Oncotype test. This test is VERY important. If given a choice opt for the test which they may be doing as we speak. Most do. That is the best advice I can give you at this point. Once you have the whole picture, you will know what you need to do. I did not hesitate on treatment. But that was what seemed right for me. As of yet, I do not regret my decision.Please return and let us know. And I wish you the best of luck.Blessings...........Pat~sadblossom

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Report This| Share this:Newly DxI too had IDC, stage 2 grade 2..........8 nodes removed, 2 were positive...........had 3 surgeries...........30 radiation treatments and have been on Arimidex for 1 1/2 years now..........2 1/2 years of Arimidex to go. Chance of recurrance 8%, 17% without Arimidex. I take the pill !

Treatments are a personal decision. And being your own advocate and doing a great amount of research IS a must!

You will be given a recurrance % once the proper testing is done on the cancer tissue they remove/removed. Maybe you should wait and make your decision upon receiving that report.It is a very important test and gives a better look at what you are dealing with. Ask your surgeon about this test. I think it is referred to as an Oncotype test. This test is VERY important. If given a choice opt for the test which they may be doing as we speak. Most do. That is the best advice I can give you at this point. Once you have the whole picture, you will know what you need to do. I did not hesitate on treatment. But that was what seemed right for me. As of yet, I do not regret my decision.Please return and let us know. And I wish you the best of luck.Blessings...........Pat~sadblossom

I have been married for 31 years, and my hubby is taking this very hard, I have one child age 30 at home with special needs. I am her primary caretaker. I also have two more children and one step son. All out of the home.

I am seeing a surgeon in Lubbock, Tx wednesday pobably seek a second opinion at MD Anderson. I know the biggest thing is wait for the surgeons reccomendations. But I want to put my eggs all in a row so I will know what to ask, regardless of her answer.

My hubby told me he wanted me to do treatments because wanted me around for a long time. I told him he needed to lose weight so he would be aroung to take care of me.

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Report This| Share this:Newly DxI have been married for 31 years, and my hubby is taking this very hard, I have one child age 30 at home with special needs. I am her primary caretaker. I also have two more children and one step son. All out of the home.

I am seeing a surgeon in Lubbock, Tx wednesday pobably seek a second opinion at MD Anderson. I know the biggest thing is wait for the surgeons reccomendations. But I want to put my eggs all in a row so I will know what to ask, regardless of her answer.

My hubby told me he wanted me to do treatments because wanted me around for a long time. I told him he needed to lose weight so he would be aroung to take care of me.

Tracy - your situation sounds similar to mine. I've been married 31 years to my DH, I have 4 children - the youngest is 30. No special needs, though.

I had a Stage 1 cancer last summer and a Stage 3 recurrence this spring. I am throwing the book at this beast because DH and I have some dreams yet unfulfilled. And grandkids to love and watch grow. And I told my DH that if I was going to go through this aggressive treatment, then he owed me...and by that I meant that he needs to lose weight so he will be here to enjoy life with me. So there you have it! When I am through treatment, he is going on the wagon, one way or the other!

As for trying to have all your eggs in a row, it might be better to take it a little at a time. Believe me, it can all be overwhelming and trying to decide everything without all the facts is really impossible. I try to take it one day at a time, one hour at a time, and sometimes one minute at a time.

You're young, and you have one of the best cancer centers at your fingertips (MD Anderson). So try to breathe, listen to your options, then make your decisions. It will get a little easier as time goes on.

Hugs,Michelle

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Report This| Share this:Newly DxTracy - your situation sounds similar to mine. I've been married 31 years to my DH, I have 4 children - the youngest is 30. No special needs, though.

I had a Stage 1 cancer last summer and a Stage 3 recurrence this spring. I am throwing the book at this beast because DH and I have some dreams yet unfulfilled. And grandkids to love and watch grow. And I told my DH that if I was going to go through this aggressive treatment, then he owed me...and by that I meant that he needs to lose weight so he will be here to enjoy life with me. So there you have it! When I am through treatment, he is going on the wagon, one way or the other!

As for trying to have all your eggs in a row, it might be better to take it a little at a time. Believe me, it can all be overwhelming and trying to decide everything without all the facts is really impossible. I try to take it one day at a time, one hour at a time, and sometimes one minute at a time.

You're young, and you have one of the best cancer centers at your fingertips (MD Anderson). So try to breathe, listen to your options, then make your decisions. It will get a little easier as time goes on.

Tracy,Thank you for answering my questions. These are some questions to ask:1. Why is he suggesting one type of surgery over the other (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy)?2. If lumpectomy is she able to do that surgery so you can have brachytherapy - internal radiation, nstead of external beam radiation? If not, why not?3. If mastectomy - are you a candidate for skin and nipple sparing mastectomy?4. Reconstruction or not - if reconstruction can she recommend a plastic surgeon that specializes in that? Do you want immediatiate or delayed reconstruction? When you see a PS ask him if he is able to do the different types of reconstruction, implants, DIEPP, SIEA, Latissumus dorsal flap, GAP and the newest micro fat grafting. Research each one to see what you feel you would like.5. Is the surgeon doing a sentinel node biopsy done?6. Is the tumor being sent out to have an Oncotype Test done?Hopefully this helps you. As I said previously I am close in age to you with a similar diagnosis and had all the treatments and tolerated them all very well.Please let us know how your visit with the surgeon turns out.Judy

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Report This| Share this:Newly DxTracy,Thank you for answering my questions. These are some questions to ask:1. Why is he suggesting one type of surgery over the other (lumpectomy vs. mastectomy)?2. If lumpectomy is she able to do that surgery so you can have brachytherapy - internal radiation, nstead of external beam radiation? If not, why not?3. If mastectomy - are you a candidate for skin and nipple sparing mastectomy?4. Reconstruction or not - if reconstruction can she recommend a plastic surgeon that specializes in that? Do you want immediatiate or delayed reconstruction? When you see a PS ask him if he is able to do the different types of reconstruction, implants, DIEPP, SIEA, Latissumus dorsal flap, GAP and the newest micro fat grafting. Research each one to see what you feel you would like.5. Is the surgeon doing a sentinel node biopsy done?6. Is the tumor being sent out to have an Oncotype Test done?Hopefully this helps you. As I said previously I am close in age to you with a similar diagnosis and had all the treatments and tolerated them all very well.Please let us know how your visit with the surgeon turns out.Judy

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